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HOWTO: Using a CD-RW Drive to Record CDs
Jefferson H.S. Technology Committee, March 2000

A CD-RW drive can be used to create data CDs and backup CDs. The software that creates the CDs comes with CD-RW drive, so each brand is slightly different. But they all work basically the same way. To create a data CD you select the files or directories from you HDD that you want to copy, save and name the CD image. Then validate and test record the CD image. Finally, make the final, actual recording onto the CD.

CD-R disks can be recorded once, and are good for archiving data and files. CD-RW disks can be recorded up to ten times, and are better for short term files that change and will not be stored for a long time. If you buy  CDs in ten pack, the price drops to about $1.00 to $1.50 per disk respectively.

CD-RW drives offer some advantages over other formats such as ZIP, Jet, and Jazz drives in that you can read a CD in any computer that has a CD-ROM drive. Whereas ZIP cartridges, for example, must be used in ZIP drives.

The general steps for creating a data CD are as follows:
 

Select create a data CD

Select the files and directories from you HDD that you want to copy

Validate the CD image

Save and Name the CD image. Sometimes you have to validate the CD image at the same time.

Select Write or Create the CD

Run a test recording if available. This takes longer but is worth it since your final CD is more likely to be error free

Open and test the final CD


 
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Computer graphic by K. Ballash. All other graphics downloaded from Anthony's Icon Library, WWW Images: http://www.cit.gu.edu.au/images/Images.html , December,  1998.